TRIB TALK

Friday

Oct 30, 2009 at 12:01 AMOct 30, 2009 at 12:59 PM

Call 815-1776 to contribute.Jim Robertson, managing editor

“Many mornings I drive past the huge crane at the future parking garage. Admittedly, my hour is early, but I’ve yet to see it move even later when I return. I realize you can’t take it down and put it back up when needed, but I wonder how much money it costs every day for it to just sit there and if the highly paid operator gets compensated whether he climbs up to the cab or not.”

“There’s proof in the pudding. I think Columbia’s getting to be a better place to drive around in. I wonder what the accident reports show for the past month or two. Are they going down like other police statistics? It’s as simple going over to the police station and asking. My biggest question right now is: What took so long? What was the force behind not enforcing the traffic laws before? I think Columbia’s getting better. Keep up the good work, police.”

“I have encountered a few drivers here in Missouri who I consider aggressive drivers. Here is an example: people who speed up while you pass them. Another example is on the Business Loop. I’ll be turning left into the Dairy Queen parking lot, and I’ll be right in the middle of the intersection, the people who are coming turning right out of between Dairy Queen and Hickman High School will take a right while I’m in the middle of the intersection turning left into the Dairy Queen parking lot. These people just need to slow down and take their time while driving responsibly. Maybe I’m not the best driver, but at least I have respect for other people’s lives.”

“To all Obama deniers: Please read the interviews with the Nobel Peace Prize committee in which they list at least three reasons for their choice. One, Obama’s outreach to the Muslim world; two, his modification of an anti-missile shield in Europe; and three, his willingness to seek peace and reconciliation among all nations. By the way, two members of the committee belong to the conservative party in Norway.”

“My wife and I just returned from a fabulous trip to Italy. We visited the church that contains the bones of St. Benedict and met a monk there. When he found out we were from Columbia, he said the best pizza he had ever eaten in his entire life was at a place called Shakespeare’s. True story.”

“In response to the harassment law, I recommend we void the law but, more important, pass another harassment law forbidding politicians from telling us how to live our lives.”

“I’m glad to see in the Saturday’s Business section paper the picture of Marty Siddall. I wondered what face went with the heartless body that took the best show they had on TV off — ‘Pepper & Friends.’ Thanks for the picture.”

“In the Saturday paper it talks about Hallsville’s budget picture: ‘Nichols claimed the town’s governing board has amassed a $90,000 deficit the past two years. “We’re close to being broke.” ’ If you have a $90,000 deficit, doesn’t that mean you are broke? That’s the mindset of all government. They don’t understand a deficit means you are broke. Please, let’s stop spending money we don’t have.”

“Before we vote on a $180 million bond issue for a new high school, I would like to meet the five people — if there are that many — who believe the proposed site is appropriate for any high school.”

“Recent articles in regard to the Mid-Missouri Humane Society brought back a memory. Our cat died, and so we went out to the Humane Society to get a cat. We went through all the processes of filling out all the proper forms and giving them all the information regarding our veterinarian, and we didn’t hear back from them for a couple, three days. When we called back, we were informed the cat had been put to sleep. There really needs to be some thought given to how they handle their adoption policy because there’s no reason animals should be killed because their bureaucracy takes too long or is too extensive for a person to offer a warm home and a loving atmosphere.”

“I’m just asking the Tribune to remind people if it’s raining and you’re using windshield wipers, you must use your headlights. Obviously a lot of people around town don’t know about that law yet.”

“I’m calling in to ask a question about the parade Saturday. I want to know why Mayor Hindman was riding in a car instead of riding his bicycle.”

“I just saw the Trib Talk entry where somebody complains about a wheelchair person at West Boulevard and Ash Street. There are stop signs there, and the Missouri traffic law says that at every intersection except where there is a traffic light, pedestrians, which includes wheelchairs, always have the right of way. She doesn’t need to be fined. You need to go back and take your Missouri driver’s test.”

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